Introduction to Engineering Construction (ITEC)
The Introduction to Engineering Construction (ITEC) Programme is traditionally a 10-month course that gives young people basic engineering skills, a qualification and health and safety training. Aimed at school leavers, the ITEC offers an excellent route into an apprenticeship, employment or further education. In previous years, we have supported a number of NEETs through the ITEC programme. And the programme is helping to bring new talent into the industry, with recent graduates snapped up by a number of major engineering companies.
To support learners impacted by the pandemic, in 2020 the ECITB provided ITEC students with a training allowance payment of £100 per week over the duration of the course. This was introduced to support the 2020 cohort of ITEC learners who in previous years could have had part-time jobs; the introduction of a full-time condensed programme lessened the opportunity for any part-time work. For the 2020 intake, a condensed course is being delivered over 7 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 2020 intake will be the last ITEC cohort with the programme being replaced this year by a level 2 ECITB Scholarship.
For employers, the ITEC programme offers an excellent opportunity to hire individuals who already have experience of working in the industry and the skills to undertake an apprenticeship. Graduates from the ITEC will have achieved all of the year one components of an apprenticeship, making them very attractive to potential employers.
Each year approximately 120 ITEC learners complete the course in the Summer and look for opportunities with employers.
Further information
For further information about the ECITB Introduction to Engineering Construction contact your ECITB regional officer.
ECITB’s training providers offering ITEC programme:
| Region | Training Provider | ECITB Allocated Officer |
|---|---|---|
| East of England | East Coast College | Ashley.Thompson@ecitb.org.uk |
| North East | Neta | Shashi.Ardeshana@ecitb.org.uk |
| North West | Gen 2 The Engineering College Lakes College |
Shashi.Ardeshana@ecitb.org.uk |
| South West | Bridgwater and Taunton College Weston College Yeovil College City College Plymouth |
Andrew.Thomas@ecitb.org.uk |
| Yorkshire and Humber |
North Lindsey College | Ashley.Thompson@ecitb.org.uk |
“The ITEC programme has made me realise that engineering is what I want to do in the future and has given me an insight into which pathway I want to follow. I also think it is a great opportunity to gain an apprenticeship.”
“Employers have the confidence that we have got to know the individuals and that if we are recommending them to employers it should give them confidence that the young people are suitable for an apprenticeship. ITEC learners will also be able to usually start year two of an apprenticeship so employers are also making a financial saving and less staff time is required to support their new employee.”
“Having access to ITEC learners broadens our recruitment options, and a real plus point is these young people now have a better idea of what type of engineer they want to become. It’s also great for the wider community as those who don’t secure an apprenticeship first time round are encouraged to continue to develop and enhance their engineering skills, so that they stand a stronger chance in the future.”